Cat Got Your Tongue?
- Cat Got Your Tongue?
- How common is this idiom?: Although this idiom has been around for centuries, its usage has declined in recent years, especially among younger generations. However, it's still widely recognized and occasionally used in informal settings, such as in social media, TV shows, and movies.
- Literal Meaning: The literal meaning is that a cat has taken possession of your tongue, which is physically impossible.
- Actual Idiomatic Meaning: The idiomatic meaning is that someone is unable to speak, usually because they are too afraid, shocked, or surprised to say anything.
- The teacher asked the student why he hadn't done his homework, but the student just sat there, silent. 'What's wrong, cat got your tongue?' the teacher asked.
- When I saw my favorite celebrity walking towards me, I was so starstruck that I couldn't say a word. I guess you could say the cat had my tongue!
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